No compromise on purging judiciary of corruption: CJ
LAHORE (SANA) Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry reiterating his commitment to purge judiciary of corruption has said that there would be no compromise on the cause.
Speaking at a reception hosted by Punjab Bar Council in honour of the judges who had refused to take oath under PCO at a local hotel on Saturday, he said “corrupt elements would not be tolerated in judiciary and they would have to mend their ways.”
Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Judges of Supreme Court and Lahore High Court, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and large number of lawyers attended the reception.
Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said no interference from any quarter would be tolerated in dispensation of justice to the masses, adding “ensuring rule of law is our mission which can be achieved only when people have realization that judiciary is independent.”
He said separation of judiciary from executive is also part of the efforts to ensure complete independence of this vital institution of the state.
The Chief Justice said, “Provision of justice to people is our foremost duty which we would ensure at every cost.”
He urged lawyers from all over the country to fully cooperate for quick disposal of pending cases adding “to achieve the mission of provision of quick and inexpensive justice to people, it has been demanded of the government in the new judicial policy to increase number of judges by three times in all courts.”
Referring to the situation in the country, he said, “Main cause of this state of affairs was that during the last 60 years rule of law and independence of judiciary were ignored but now it would have to be ensured.”
He said situation in Swat, Malakand and other areas is a challenge which has to be met through national unity. “We have to extend every possible help to our brethren who have been rendered homeless.”
He urged lawyers all over the country to fully participate in relief and rehabilitation of IDPs and make generous donations for them so that their sufferings could be mitigated and they have the feeling that countrymen are there to share their agonies and difficulties.
